Reviews

"The most underrated suburb in Sydney"

Lakemba is honestly the most underrated suburb in Sydney. My wife and I bought a place here because it was so affordable in comparison with every other Sydney suburb within a 20km radius. I work in the city and it takes me 25mins to get to work from my front door on the train. I honestly cannot believe this suburb is still so cheap considering it's location and infrastructure. Lakemba has a lively main street with cafe's, plenty of shops and a few pubs. There is a large Islamic community here, which is perhaps why the prices are still so low, there is also a huge christian and Greek community here and everyone gets along just fine. Lakemba has everything you could ask for at half the price. Truly the hidden gem of the inner south.

"Madison"

I grew up in Marrickville area,and I must admit it doesnt look very inviting and appealing driving through the main streets of lakemba,as all the shops looking run down and anti Anglo goods and merchandise.But looking beyond the stigma that comes with the suburb Lakemba ,I believe its unfair to judge just from looking outside in.I have studied the suburb the last few months and I cant see how you can find better value for your money elsewhere.Lakemba today looks no different to Marrickville 15-20 years ago , was the pit back then,now Marrickville is WHAT? affluent! I believe Lakemba is a great investment for the future as I have just put the money where my mouth is and bought a full brick home with driveway for 450000 Bargain My justification ,leafy trees throughout the suburb,schools plus all the shopping convenvience ,proximity with 12-15 km radius to CBD.In regards to safety ,there are crimes everywhere and the news that you watches on TV are heavily edited.Believe only 1/2 of what you see and nothing you hear.Im not anti anything not a sale agent just a random Westie,happy house hunting folks.

KnaptonPropertyCongratulations on your purcahse. I couldn't agree more with your prediction and comparrison for the future of Lakemba.

2yrs+

odison2Thanks KnaptonProperty,I'm actually in the process of selling my unit in Campsie which I bought 2 years ago,only meters from Woolworth.The timing was bad because I bought it during high tide of 2010,I'd be lucky if I breakeven .Location is the key in chosing great investment but Ive learned that an undervalued property is paramount.Im hoping to find another house in Lakemba once the unit is sold.

2yrs+

KnaptonPropertyThats great news, If we can be of assistance at either end, please contact us directly on 9750 3999. regards, Lee Knapton

2yrs+

ProfessionalsBELMORECongraulations also on your purchase. That is a very good price to have purchased a property. Lakemba is very good value, particularly for investors. There was an article in the SMH some time ago with Lakemba near the top of the list for return on purchase price.

2yrs+

JohnS11I lived and grew up in Lakemba. Caught the train and buses everyday. A few of the comments and remarks further down are spot on. The real state agents making commissions should be ignored 100%. Go to youtube.com and type in lakemba. The videos will give you a very good idea of what to expect. Then if you still not convinced of your families long term safety go google Lakemba police station. What you say it does not exist anymore? Yep that is right shot up by arabic men. The Police who carry guns were so scared of the local islamic men they had to shut it down due to fear of their lives and well being. All facts that can be verified. Now you know why me and my family moved out over 10 years ago and never looked back.

2yrs+

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Review written via Homely.com.auThe opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Ray White.Report

"Lakemba -Multicultural hub!"

I have been living in Lakemba since 2001. Surely it has got all the amentities to fill all the boxes with 100%. Rents are cheap, transport, M5 & M4, Shopping centres , major roads close by. Eating options are great as it has Labenese , Indian, Pakistani,Bangladeshi and Thai eateries.
Love to live in Lakemba

pleasantvilleRents are cheap because most respectable people would never live there

2yrs+

paul87Spot on Pleasantville. Good to see a person who is not of a certain religion or a real estate agent, commenting on how bad this place really is.

2yrs+

ProfessionalsBELMOREPaul87. Just because an real estate comments that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Agents actually take the time and effort to know their area. That is part of our business.

2yrs+

Matthew-BurnsRents are cheap because most respectable people would never live there unlike you killing terrorist middle easterns

2yrs+

ProfessionalsBELMOREI am actually Anglo-Saxon & Christian. And I have friends who are of all different cultures & religions. I don't judge people on their race, their colour or their faith. I accept people for who they are as people.

2yrs+

SalBI have lived in Lakemba for three years. I am an anglo-saxon mother of two. I love it. I take my dog jogging at night all around the area and I feel completely safe. It is completely under-rated.

2yrs+

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Review written via Homely.com.auThe opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Ray White.Report

"You have got to be joking"

As I read the reviews here, I can only imagine that the people writting them are trying to sell their houses and get out as why would anyone write that this suburb is safe and friendly.

Last night a teenager was stabbed and bashed by 20 men just walking home! A gang of 20 ! How do 20 people wander around in a gang unnoticed? There is also the public knowledge featured regularly on te news of the rapes and bashings that go on nightly in this dagerous suburb.

Not only that, the graffitti in the area is a disgrace, the train station is a hub of theft, drugs and crime and you only have to see how may rapes, robberies and bashings are on the news constantly for this suburb and its surrounding suburbs of punchbowl, campsie, bankstown, chullora and greenacre to realise how much of a melting pot it really is.

I don't know what would come up on the "do not touch" realestate radar more, the violence, the unemployment or the cultural values of the people thaqt now live here and think it is great?

This would have to be the worst suburb in Australia, there is no way in hell I would raise a family here, I would rather live in the desert than inhabot this place.

Couldnt wait to see the place in the rear view mirror as we left at high speeds to avoid the car being stolen or being bashed and robbed. But you can always go through the archives of the news programmes if you want to confirm this or better still, grab a copy of the local newspaper and read all the problems and dramas that go on in this place on an endless basis.

ProfessionalsBELMOREHave heard of bashings & stabbings all throughout Sydney, even in "safe" suburbs on the Northern Beaches & North Shore. It's the FREQUENCY you need to look at, and the close-knit areas of Lakemba & Belmore & surrounding areas do tend to look out for each other. You won't find the locals just stepping over an injured or ill person in these areas! More like rushing to help!

2yrs+

LakembaPeople that don't live in the suburb shouldn't be allowed to leave comments as they just make up stories - worried that people won't buy in the area they live in - Pleasantville must not read too well newspapers if violence happens all over Sydney and i don't wish to sell my property - it's in a Fantastic Location - I have supermarkets and restaurants, banks 2 mins walk 25mins I'm in the city centre -

2yrs+

paul87You guys above are out of your mind if you think this is a good suburb. White flight to Penrith, Gosford and Wollognong is happening for a reason. This suburb is not multicultural it is segregation at it's absolute worst. I can't think of a worse suburb to live between Lakemba, Punchbowl, Guildford, Bankstown, Greenacre etc. These suburbs are not only a disgrace to Sydney but a disgrace to Western Society anywhere in the world. Most people here have not tried to assimilate into the Australian way of life and it is absolutely disgusting that a Real Estate agent and another poster above would try to say any different. Encouraging anyone who does't want to convert to a certain religion or lead a life of crime to live here is wrong.

2yrs+

ProfessionalsBELMORENot sure Paul87 how much time you've actually spent in Lakemba. As an employee (that is an office worker employee not a salesperson) I can honestly say I've never had a problem with Lakemba. I've met heaps of people who live here and not all of them are immigrants or Muslim either. Yes you will get some people who won't make an effort when they've moved to a new country such as Australia, but they are all over Sydney and are the loud ones who everyone notices and therefore give all the others a bad name. Shame to tar everyone with the same brush. I highly recommend for people to spend time at a place and get to know it's people before making such statements.

2yrs+

Treesnleaves My wife works in lakemba and we live very close by.I have spent alot of time in the suburb over many years and must confess, i agree with Paul87.Congratulations Paul on speaking your mind and for saying things a lot of others would be worried about saying. It is a disgrace indeed!

2yrs+

Matthew-BurnsYour a legend paul87 I remember as a child growing up, I remember that Lakemba use to be a pleasant suburb that my parents use to go shopping. It was lovely and safe back then but ever since the middle eastern people moved in everything started turning up side down. Look im not racist im just justifying that these people are giving a bad name for the place. I dont know what Islam teaches you folks but all I can see on the TV and on news are you guys are terrorizing and making the place dirty, just like the place you guys came from. I moved to Cronulla about 30 years ago and I can tell you that the Nulla is way better off with out you folks. If the cronulla riots didnt happen us non Islamics will have now where else to go and we need some space where you guys dont dirty or bring your nasty culture that teaches how to kill non islamics!

2yrs+

ProfessionalsBELMOREThere is way more to this area than TV shows. Please remember people that TV is all about the ratings and far less about the news. These sensationalist "news" oftens twist or manipulate a certain viewpoint in order to increase their ratings. You may remember that during the Cronulla riots that some news & talkback were criticised for their participation as well.

Being Anglo-Saxon and working in this area every day I have absolutely no problem. I have found that some very "white" areas to be far more judgemental and non-accepting of others than around here. I actually feel that because it is very multicultural that it is MORE accepting of others than a lot of other places.

Don't let TV decide for you. Come find out for yourselves.

2yrs+

habHi Mathew, On which basis are you saying "you guys are terrorizing"... Its not the ordinary people who tell you about any religion. Before making any comment, its better if you try to understand from Scripture or through Scholars. As per my knowledge, according to holy scriptures, killing of an innocent person in Islam is like killing the whole humanity. Its not only Islam, if you want to understand any religion, go for its authentic scripture. Ordinary people of all religions are similar. You must know that Alcohol and Pork are not even permissible in Christianity BUT lot of Christians are doing so. Should anybody say that Christianity guides like this?

2yrs+

BarneyGLakemba is a quiet and peaceful suburb. It is also dirty(noone can claim Haldon st or close by is clean by Australian standards, its not), full of renters and very very conservative Islamic people. Shops blare middle eastern music in the streets and everywhere you will see them pushing the message of Islam.

That being said its no dirtier than nearby Campsie, but the price of house is about 200K less. I think its great buying there still. Especially in good streets closer to nearby Belfield or Belmore where prices already reflect gentrification.

2yrs+

ShaunDIt's such a shame the people who defend this trashed grotty unsafe suburb have never been/ lived anywhere else in Sydney. If you spent 6 months living somewhere decent like the North Shore, you'd then realise. It's not acceptable to have frequent bashings, stabbings and drug deals. I would be embarrassed and ashamed to live somewhere like lakemba, and even more so trying to defend it. It is a disgrace, it is trashed and it is unsafe.

2yrs+

PhoebePSo Good australian! come and live here!!. The place is great and still OK Price and still one of still good location. Blend in the area and make this place equally and multicultural (by the way it is many nationality living here happily too). We need good people like you!! ..it not the suburb is Bad but fews people same like others suburbs has some mad people but they won't carry guns and shoot here everyday..must be bad luck /wrong place & wrong time!! ..the suburb only a land and it is belong to all Australian. The more you run away of course some others will get together like community because they feel the belonging but I don't think they will kill you if you moved in. This Areas used to be full of white Australian but you move out north (expensive now)...so others move in here help this place a better place and peaceful..well.. The more you anti people here you should come and live here so this place won't just has Muslim as you too scared.

Dec 11, 2015

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Review written via Homely.com.auThe opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Ray White.Report

"Safe Neighbourhood and massive apartments and houses"

I moved from Newtown to Lakemba - and more and more I'm liking Lakemba
it has huge properties compared to the Victorian Terraces in Newtown
as it's easy to get to city centre - train is only 25 mins away in the mornings
and it's a safe neighbourhood and cheap shops compared to grocery shopping in Newtown
If you don't wish to have coffee in Lakemba - just 3mins drive and your at a cafe in Belmore
great location close to everything high schools and primary schools and daycare centres and close to Roseland shopping centre - Bankstown Shopping centre also isn't far

"A great example of Multi-cultural society."

Like many areas of Sydney Lakemba has elvolved over the years with changing demographics & culture to become of of Sydney's most multi-cultural areas. Despite being known as a predominately Muslim area, Lakemba actually does have many cultures living within its suburb boundaries, which show in the style of housing and type of shops in the local shopping strip.

Within Lakemba there are many differing facilities to suit most cultural & religous groups whether they be Muslim or Christian or prefer a secular existance, from schools, worship, and specialist shopping facilites. People are generally accepting of all differences and tolerance is encouraged from local cultural & religious leaders, and practiced by many of the long-term residents. Transport in the area is considered excellent with a great train service & bus service with good frequency and many routes. There are many good neighbourhood parks in the area with good facilities, some recently improved by the local council, no doubt with more to come.

Prices within Lakemba are still quite reasonable to buy, and offer a great investment return - recently in the SMH Lakemba rated as #1 on investment return on a percentage basis.

"Full of Live - Hidden Gem"

I have been living in Lakemba since past 7 years..and recently bought a property!
Lakemba is a multi cultural suburb with many Indians , Pakistanis and Bangladeshis moving in making it a small Indian Subcontinent!.
Easy axcess to Sydney city CBD, Airport, Bankstown CBD and have got all the major roads like M5 ,M4 close by.
Canterbury council needs to put more effort in cleaning and make it a model multicultural suburb..
Shops and resturant are great!!! easy and less xpensive food and transport.
Love Lakemba!!

"Safe and Friendly"

My family has lived at Lakemba for 90 years, 80 years in the same house. The neighbours are friendly. People are polite. We have never been broken into or felt unsafe. I grew up there and return all the time for the food and the friendliness.

KnaptonPropertyYes my family has worked in the area for over 75 years and agree with all your comments. A great place to eat and shop. Knapton property Agents.

2yrs+

BerriesFour of the 6 children in my family went to St Therese Primary School before moving on to secondary education and then to graduate from University and pursue professional lives. St Therese is a fine school. Haldon St was my paper run. The place is now more cosmopolitan and better for it. Whenever you have a problem the neighbours are always on hand to help out. Knapton has been there since before I was born.

2yrs+

BerriesFour of the 6 children in my family went to St Therese Primary School before moving on to secondary education and then to graduate from University and pursue professional lives. St Therese is a fine school. Haldon St was my paper run. The place is now more cosmopolitan and better for it. Whenever you have a problem the neighbours are always on hand to help out. Knapton has been there since before I was born.

2yrs+

KnaptonPropertyLakemba is a well established area and yes a much more cosmopolitan place to be.

2yrs+

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Review written via Homely.com.auThe opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Ray White.Report

"Safe place to live"

Everyone is friendly here, alive all day. You get treated how u treat people. Every thing is close from shops to school, buses to trains, city to airport. Ive moved to lakemba 8 months ago and i am willing to buy. Clean, safe and enviroment friendly

"Lakemba"

Lakemba is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lakemba is located 15 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Canterbury.

Lakemba has had a diverse demographic history. Like most of the rest of Australia, its first non-Aboriginal inhabitants in the nineteenth century were British and Irish settlers. By the mid-twentieth century, the suburb had absorbed large numbers of Greek and Italian arrivals. Local businesses and clubs reflected this in Mediterreanean delicatessens, take-away shops and the Greek Orthodox Club.

From the mid-1970s, Lakemba became very popular with migrants from Lebanon and by the mid-1990s the area was considered a centre of Lebanese Australian life. The founding of the Lakemba Mosque and the establishment of specialised restaurants, take-away shops, grocery shops, clothing and book sellers has encouraged a general perception of Lakemba as a predominantly Arab and Muslim suburb, particularly in the media. In fact — in common with most of the rest of Greater Sydney — Lakemba is best described as predominantly multi-ethnic and extremely diverse, but with an Arabic-speaking and Muslim plurality.

Canterbury Road winds its way along the ridge, which is the boundary of the watersheds of Cooks River and Wolli Creek to the south. The Lakemba railway station is on the Bankstown line of the CityRail network. It is near the shopping centre on Haldon Street.

Lakemba has a large shopping centre, on and around Haldon Street, where a wide range of international and local foods can be purchased. There are also commercial developments along Canterbury Road. The Lakemba Palms shopping centre, is located on the corner of Haldon Street and Lakemba street.

Lakemba has many places of worship to cater for the different faiths of its population, including St Therese Catholic Church, Lakemba Uniting Church, Lakemba Presbyterian Church and several Mosques including the Lakemba Mosque.